Judith Marie Thompson

Madison - Judith M. (Gram) Thompson, 89, passed away on January 3rd, 2025. She was the second child born to Laurence and Isabel Gram in West Allis, Wisconsin on March 25th, 1935. Judy graduated from Nathan Hale High School in 1952, attended UW-Milwaukee Extension for one year, and then transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she completed her B.S. degree in Business Education in 1956. After Judy’s graduation, she took a job as a teacher at Columbus High School.

Judy married the love of her life, Howard Thompson, on June 30, 1956. They enjoyed 63 years together before his passing in 2019. Judy’s most important career began when she became a mother in December of 1958. Judy was the center of her family. She was a devoted full-time mother who always put her children first. She was a sports fanatic who thoroughly enjoyed watching her children, and later grandchildren, play basketball, volleyball and soccer and ski in the Min-Aqua Bat water ski shows. For 55 years, Judy and Howard held season tickets for Badger basketball and football games. They enjoyed two trips to the Rose Bowl, a trip to the Final Four, and several holiday tournaments with the basketball team.

Judy loved spending her summers in Minocqua and enjoyed 53 years relaxing at the lake with family. She and Howard were world travelers, taking trips to Iran, India, Russia and Israel, to name a few. Judy played in a tennis league for many years, participated in several bridge clubs, and was a member of a Madison chapter of PEO. She enjoyed knitting and made afghans, sweaters and hats for her family. Judy was a longtime member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Madison.

Judy is survived by three children, James (Virginia) Thompson, John (Karen) Thompson, and Ann (Dan Dye) Thompson; her son-in-law, Deepankar Medhi; 13 grandchildren (Peter; Neiloy, Robby; Chelsea, Daniel, Allison; Natalie, Sarah, Anna; Madeline, Jada, Paxton, Tucker), and two great grandchildren (Palmer, Bennett). She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Laurence Gram Jr.; daughters, Linda Schultz and Karen Thompson Medhi; and grandchildren, Daisy and Summer Braun. 

A memorial service will be held at Cress Funeral and Cremation Services, 3610 Speedway Rd., Madison, on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. Friends may greet the family from 12 noon until the time of services.

Please share your memories of Judy by posting in her Guestbook.

Cress Funeral Service

3610 Speedway Road, Madison

(608) 238-3434